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St. Paul, Minn. — The Minnesota Pollution Control
Agency (MPCA) and local partner groups have developed a plan to restore and
protect water quality in the Goose Creek watershed. Goose Creek watershed,
located north of the Twin Cities metropolitan area, includes portions of
Chisago and Pine counties. The Goose Creek Watershed Restoration and Protection
Strategy (WRAPS) report and Goose Creek Watershed Total Maximum Daily Load
(TMDL) report are available for public review through Dec. 4, 2015.
Water quality monitoring and analysis has shown that
high levels of bacteria and phosphorus are present in many water bodies within
the Goose Creek watershed. The TMDL report quantifies the pollutant levels, identifies the sources of the
pollution, and proposes ways to bring water quality back to an acceptable
level.
The WRAPS
report identifies impaired water
bodies and those in need of protection, and recommends steps needed to achieve
and maintain water quality. For example, to reduce the
amount of nutrients such as phosphorus in the watershed, stream buffers must be
re-established along the lakes, streams, and ditches to reduce runoff, and the
amount of phosphorus runoff from agricultural and rural lands must be reduced.
Many groups are participating in restoration and
protection efforts, including the Chisago County Soil Water Conservation
District, Pine County Soil and Water Conservation District, Chisago County, local
governments, lake associations, and several state agencies. Individuals are always
encouraged to get involved.
This report is one of just a handful completed under
the state’s watershed approach, a holistic way of gauging the health of streams
and lakes, and developing strategies to restore or protect their water quality.
The MPCA encourages those interested in the Goose
Creek Watershed to review and provide feedback on the reports, which are available
online. The reports are posted on the Goose Creek watershed web page at http://www.pca.state.mn.us/hh89xpd. Comments
on the reports should be submitted in writing by Dec. 4, 2015, to Christopher
Klucas, 520 Lafayette Road North, St. Paul, MN 55155-4194, or christopher.klucas@state.mn.us.
Klucas is available to answer questions at 651-757-2498.
Written comments must specify which report you are
commenting on, and should include a statement of your interest in the report
and the action you wish the MPCA to take, including specific references to
sections of the draft report you believe should be changed. You must state the
specific reasons for your position.
More
information is available on the MPCA’s Impaired waters and TMDLs
webpage.
Broadcast version
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and its local
partners are recommending strategies to restore and protect water bodies in the
Goose Creek watershed. The Goose Creek Watershed Total Maximum Daily Load and Watershed
Restoration and Protection Strategy reports detail the pollutant levels,
sources of pollution, and strategies for remedying impaired water quality and
for protecting non-impaired waterbodies in the watershed. Members of the public
are encouraged to review and comment on the reports through December
4, 2015. For more information, visit the MPCA’s website.
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The mission of the MPCA is to protect and improve the environment and enhance human health.
St. Paul • Brainerd • Detroit Lakes • Duluth • Mankato • Marshall • Rochester • Willmar
www.pca.state.mn.us • Toll-free and TDD 800-657-3864
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